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THE SALVATION ARMY TEAMS UP WITH VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TO HONOR WOMEN WITH A RECOGNITION DINNER
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Released 14 February 2012
THE SALVATION ARMY TEAMS UP WITH VA
CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
TO HONOR WOMEN WITH A RECOGNITION
DINNER
Amanda Cournoyer, Veterans Service
Representative, accepting a certificate from The Salvation Army New Haven Corps
officer Lieutenant Jae Im and Major Gregory Hartshorn, Southern New England
Divisional
Secretary.
NEW HAVEN – The Salvation Army New Haven Corps joined forces with the
Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System – West Haven Campus, to
pay tribute to women veterans with a "Recognition Dinner" on Feb 14th. The
catered affair was held at The Salvation Army New Haven Corps. The guests were
all outstanding women, recognized by their peers for service "above and
beyond." The dinner took place during "National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans
Week," which is celebrated the week of February 14th each year.
The following women veterans were nominated: Amanda Cournoyer –
Veterans Service Representative, VBA; Jennifer DeMaurez – Graduate
Assistant for MBA Studies at Southern CT State University, US Air Force/Air
National Guard; Victoria Bontatibus – RN, VA CT Healthcare System;
Charleen Fischer-Atwood – Veteran Service Representative, CT Dept. of
Labor, US Air Force; Crystal Marrero – USS Ronald Reagan in 2005, C-RAM
in 2006-2007, Service for other OEF/OIF veterans; and Melinda Gould –
Patient-Centered Care Committee Member and volunteer, US Marine Corps.
Major Joyce Hartshorn, The Salvation Army Southern New England Division VA
Voluntary Service Representative, attended the dinner and met all of the women.
Hartshorn said, "What a very important night it was in giving women center
stage and recognizing the contribution made by women toward world peace. Last
evening took the focus off of pageant declarations for world peace, and onto
the real live models who went the distance for world peace."
A Long History...
The ministry of The
Salvation Army to veterans has grown from serving coffee and doughnuts in World
War I to providing various programs of comfort and cheer, like the New Haven
Cops Recognition Dinner in today’s complex society. Services rendered to
veteran’s groups are as unique as the communities they live in. At many
airports, troops are greeted at the gate when they arrive home from a tour of
duty in a foreign country. In some cities, The Salvation Army youth groups lend
assistance to the soldiers with wheelchairs to get veterans outside for some
fresh air. In other areas, some veterans experience a weekend at camp; while
others are provided phone cards and large print Bibles. From coast to coast,
The Salvation Army programs recognize the sacrifices our veterans have made for
their country and thank them for their service.
Victoria Bontatibus with her
daughter, enjoying the dinner.